Small gestures of love which can make a big difference

When you love someone it’s natural to want to demonstrate that through thoughts, words and deeds. It’s often the deeds, those small gestures of love and affection, that are the most touching and strengthen the bonds of intimacy. They are clear demonstrations that the other person cares about you, is responsive to your needs and will go the extra mile to make you happy.

Many people fail to make loving gestures simply because they don’t occur to them. Here are some useful suggestions to show the special person in your life just how much they mean to you.

Write a love letter

There is something timelessly romantic about receiving a handwritten letter. You don’t have to be Shakespeare to capture in words how your partner makes you feel and how lucky you are to have them in your life – you just need to be sincere.

In an age when most communication is digital, a loving letter, note or card is rare and special, and is sure to be treasured.

Make time to say hello

If you live with your partner, it is easy to fall into a pattern where you don’t really notice when they come and go because they’re around all the time.

At the end of the working day, when you hear their key in the door, stop what you’re doing and welcome them home. Look at them and ask how their day was. Everyone wants to feel that their presence makes a difference. It’s all too easy for long-term partners to become like part of the furniture – very comfortable and familiar but not really ‘seen’ or appreciated until they’re not there anymore.

The morning cuppa

According to recent research, the gesture that makes people feel most loved and cared for is having a cup of tea or coffee made for them in the morning. Often it’s the ordinary little things that make the biggest difference in a relationship, the things that your partner would naturally do for themselves. When that first cup of the day is made for you, it gets the day off to a really good start. So go on, put the kettle on!

Undivided attention

One of the most common problems encountered by modern couples is that their attention is fragmented, as they are frequently on their mobile media devices. We are so plugged into modern technology that it seems the spark in relationships is dimming much more quickly than it did in the past. To keep yours alive and shining bright, it’s a good idea to have a ‘no-screens’ evening at least once a week, and give your partner your undivided attention.

Many couples choose to make this a date night which is a great way to rekindle that early romance and spend some quality time together. Making an effort with your appearance and choice of venue shows your partner they deserve to be treated well because you love and value them.

Small gestures can make a big difference

There may be times when your partner has problems which you can’t help them with, like bereavement or redundancy for example. This is when those thoughtful gestures of love can have the most impact. You can’t make their problems go away but your kindness can give them the strength to get through whatever they’re facing.

As mother Teresa said “We cannot do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” By doing those small things, you are likely to have a great relationship, whatever life throws at you.